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Science News Archive 2025 - Page 388


Page 388 of 574

Mpox: a better understanding of tecovirimat resistance

Researchers at the Institut Pasteur have gained a better understanding of how mpox variants become resistant to tecovirimat. They found that the drug works by binding two phospholipases together, preventing viral particles from spreading. This knowledge will help develop new antiviral treatments effective across all mpox strains.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 12, 2025

Extensive study on telemedicine for diabetes and coronary heart disease – Senior author concludes: "The hype around medical apps needs to be put into perspective"

A large study found that telemedicine and training apps had minimal positive effects on patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. The study suggests that direct care from medical professionals remains crucial for improving health outcomes in this population.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 12, 2025

Type 1 diabetes: Hybrid closed-loop and open-loop systems compared

A study comparing hybrid closed-loop and open-loop systems in young people with type 1 diabetes found that hybrid closed-loop systems offered improved long-term blood sugar values, a lower risk of hypoglycemic coma, but a higher rate of diabetic ketoacidosis. The results suggest that hybrid closed-loop therapies may be beneficial for i...

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with alcohol use disorder

Researchers found that low-dose semaglutide can reduce craving and some drinking outcomes in adults with alcohol use disorder, providing initial prospective evidence for its potential as a treatment. Larger clinical trials are needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for this condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2025

New research finds that certain packaging materials can show 70% lower emissions than alternatives

Researchers at Michigan State University found that polyethylene (PE) packaging can have an average life cycle global warming potential savings of approximately 70% compared to commonly used packaging materials. This is due to PE's lower fossil resource use, GWP, water scarcity and mineral resource use in most applications.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateFeb 12, 2025

Research spotlight: Mapping lesions that cause psychosis to a human brain circuit and proposed stimulation target

Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2025

Splicing twins: unravelling the secrets of the minor spliceosome complex

Researchers in the Galej Group at EMBL Grenoble have provided new structural insights into the U11 snRNP subunit of the minor spliceosome, revealing its ability to specifically identify rare substrates. The study sheds light on the complex assembly pathway of the minor spliceosome, which is critical for processing minor introns in genes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Overcoming nicotine withdrawal: Clues found in neural mechanisms of the brain

Researchers have identified striatal cholinergic interneurons as key players in nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Administering a single dose of an FDA-approved Parkinson's disease drug, Procyclidine, significantly alleviated tremors caused by nicotine withdrawal. This study suggests a promising new treatment option for smoking cessation.

Research spotlight: Projecting the impact of funding cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

A study projects the impact of PEPFAR funding cuts on South Africa, finding that eliminating funding would lead to significant increases in HIV infections and related deaths. The analysis highlights the devastating consequences of abrupt funding cuts, including a $1.7 billion increase in healthcare expenditure.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 11, 2025

Innovative dual-target drug may lead to new investigational approach for breast cancer patients

Researchers at University of Melbourne and Pfizer discover new insights into a dual-target drug that may supercharge cancer-fighting immune cells, potentially leading to improved outcomes for breast cancer patients. The study found that this approach can enhance anti-tumor immunity by intratumoral CD8+ T cells.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalClinical & Translational Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2025

Why we need to expand the search for climate-friendly microalgae

Researchers highlight microalgae's capacity to mitigate CO2 emissions while driving sustainable industry, with 'smart microalgal bioprospecting' needed to unlock its full potential. Discovering new species with enhanced growth rates or lower resource demands could reduce costs and increase commercial viability.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalNatural Products and Bioprospecting·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 11, 2025

Older people in England are happier now than before the COVID pandemic, new national study suggests

A new national study suggests that depression rates among older people in England remain slightly higher than pre-COVID, while overall happiness and life satisfaction have improved significantly since the pandemic. This finding highlights the need for policies addressing immediate and lingering effects of the pandemic on mental health.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAging & Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 11, 2025

Fewer forest fires burn in North America today than in the past—and that's a bad thing

Research published in Nature Communications reveals that fewer forest fires are burning today than in the past, despite recent record-breaking fire years. This 'fire deficit' allows fuel to build up over time, creating conditions for more severe fires. The study highlights the importance of beneficial management fires on the landscape.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2025

NUS Medicine study: Inability of cells to recycle fats can spell disease

A new study from NUS Medicine has found that the protein Spns1 plays a key role in recycling fats out of cell compartments called lysosomes, preventing diseases like lysosomal storage disorders. The research uses cryoelectron microscopy to understand how Spns1 transports fats and highlights its importance for cellular health.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2025

D2-GCN: a graph convolutional network with dynamic disentanglement for node classification

The D2-GCN network dynamically adjusts the number of disentangled feature channels for each node during training, capturing nuanced changes in graph representations. Experiments show improved performance over baselines in single- and multi-label node classification tasks with clearer classification boundaries.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2025

Study of female genital tract reveals key findings

A global research collaboration identified Lactobacillus crispatus as a key protective bacterium in the vaginal microbiome. The study also found significant variations in vaginal microbiomes across human populations, with implications for improved diagnostics and treatments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalTrends in Microbiology·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 11, 2025

Texas A&M chemist wins NSF CAREER Award

Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.

New technology could quash QR code phishing attacks

Researchers have developed a new form of QR code that can protect users from phishing attacks by signaling whether a link is safe or not. The SDMQR codes provide an added layer of security without interfering with existing functionality, allowing companies to replace traditional barcodes with more sophisticated QR codes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalIEEE Security & Privacy·DateFeb 11, 2025